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Click Here 40 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, February 4, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend January 24, 2004 May avoids arbitration, signs two-year deal with Royals KANSAS CITY — The Kansas City Royals avoided arbitration with pitcher Darrell May on Friday by signing the left-hander to a two-year deal worth a reported $4.95 million with incentives. The former Rogue River High star will make $1.75 million this season and $3.2 million in 2005, according to the Royals’ Web site. With the signings of Carlos Beltran and May this week, Kansas City completed its arbitration season. May, 31, opened last season as the fifth starter, but wound up as the Royals' pitcher of the year. He finished 10-8 with a 3.77 ERA while piling up 210 innings. The Royals project May and Brian Anderson to be at the top of the rotation in 2004. General manager Allard Baird scouted May in Japan late in the 2001 season and eventually signed the lefty. Although May struggled during a transition season back to the major leagues in 2002, the Royals stuck with him and were rewarded with May's breakout season in 2003. "Now, he's comfortable being back in the major leagues," Baird said. Advertisement May, who took a steep pay cut to leave Japan, made $450,000 last season. He exchanged figures with the Royals on Tuesday. May had asked for $2.2 million and the club offered $1.85 million. By avoiding arbitration with May and Beltran, their only two arbitration-eligible players, the Royals can forge ahead without any of their key personnel facing contract distractions. "We're excited about that because it maintains the rhythm we've established," Baird said. "There's a rhythm going into spring training that you're looking for, and the arbitration process would interrupt it." The Royals will hold a minicamp in the Dominican Republic beginning next week, and pitchers and catchers report to Surprise, Ariz., on Feb. 20. "We're ready to go and anxious to get started," Baird said. "I'm extremely proud of our players because they're really focused on winning games and putting the team above one's self." With May and Anderson now both signed to two-year deals, the Royals have some stability at the top of their rotation through 2005. "Any time you can lock up two lefties like Darrell and Brian to multiyear deals, it's a good fit," Baird said. May's 10 wins last year were the most by a Royals' left-hander since Jose Rosado won 10 in 1999. May could have had several more wins with better support from the offense and the bullpen. He left seven games in position to win, but wound up with no- decisions. May made 12 starts of seven innings or more and failed to throw at least six innings in only seven of 32 starts. Opponents hit just .246 against May, which ranked him eighth in the American League. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times